Fe deficiency in Rosa

Fe deficiency in Rosa

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Scientific Name
Iron (Fe)
Atomic Number
26
Atomic Weight u
55.845
Elemental Group
Micro elements (B, Cl, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Zn) | Micronutrients
Available Forms

Available forms of Iron (Fe) for use in Pot and Bedding Plants

  • Ferrous sulfate (FeSO₄·7H₂O, “Iron sulfate”) – soluble, fast-acting; foliar or drench.
  • Ferric sulfate (Fe₂(SO₄)₃, “Iron(III) sulfate”) – soluble, acidifying; media drenches in some programs.
  • Iron chelate (Fe-EDDHA, “EDDHA-Fe”) – highly stable, effective in high-pH media.
  • Iron chelate (Fe-DTPA, “DTPA-Fe”) – effective to about pH 7; common in fertigation.
  • Iron chelate (Fe-EDTA, “EDTA-Fe”) – economical; use only in acidic substrates (pH ≤6).
  • Iron citrate (C₆H₅FeO₇, “Ferric citrate”) – soluble organic form for foliar/specialty use.
  • Iron lignosulfonate (varied composition, “Iron lignosulfonate”) – organic complex; soil/media application.
  • Iron frits (varied composition, “Slow-release Fe frits”) – glass-fused carriers for controlled release.

Iron (Fe) Deficiency in Rosa (Pot and Bedding Plants)

Symptoms

  • Interveinal chlorosis on young leaves – lamina turns yellow while veins remain green, giving a netted appearance.
  • Severe deficiency: new leaves become almost white, shoots weaken, and leaf edges may develop necrosis.
  • Reduced flower bud development and poor flower color intensity.
  • Overall stunted growth, reduced branching, and loss of ornamental quality.

Causes

  • High substrate pH (>6.0) is the primary factor, reducing Fe solubility.
  • Irrigation water with high bicarbonate content leading to gradual pH rise in pots.
  • Over-liming of growing media with dolomite or excessive calcium carbonate.
  • Excess phosphorus fertilization, which immobilizes Fe in the root zone.
  • High manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), or copper (Cu) levels competing with Fe uptake.
  • Poor drainage or root diseases (e.g., Pythium, Phytophthora) that impair root function and Fe absorption.
  • Roses in containers are particularly sensitive to Fe unavailability under alkaline conditions.

Correction

  • Foliar sprays:
  • Apply soluble iron chelates (Fe-EDDHA, Fe-DTPA, Fe-EDTA) depending on pH conditions.
  • Iron sulfate (FeSO₄·7H₂O) can also be used in dilute sprays, but may cause scorch if too concentrated.
  • Soil/media drenches:
  • Fe-EDDHA is the most reliable under alkaline conditions (stable to pH 9).
  • Fe-DTPA works well in neutral to slightly acidic conditions (up to pH 7).
  • pH adjustment:
  • Lower substrate pH to the optimal 5.5–6.0 range for roses in containers.
  • Use acid-forming fertilizers (e.g., ammonium sulfate, urea) instead of nitrate forms.
  • Irrigation water treatment:
  • Acidify irrigation water with sulfuric or phosphoric acid to neutralize high bicarbonates.

Prevention

  • Maintain growing media pH between 5.5–6.0 for optimal Fe availability.
  • Regularly test and correct irrigation water alkalinity to avoid long-term media pH drift.
  • Use Fe-chelates preventively in fertigation (EDDHA-Fe for alkaline conditions).
  • Avoid excessive P fertilization, as this antagonizes Fe uptake.
  • Provide well-drained substrates and maintain root health to ensure efficient nutrient uptake.
  • Conduct routine foliar tissue analysis and media testing to detect early imbalances.

Fe deficiency in Rosa

Iron (Fe)
Scientific Name
Iron (Fe)
Atomic Number
26
Atomic Weight u
55.845
Elemental Group
Micro elements (B, Cl, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Zn) | Micronutrients
Available Forms

Available forms of Iron (Fe) for use in Pot and Bedding Plants

  • Ferrous sulfate (FeSO₄·7H₂O, “Iron sulfate”) – soluble, fast-acting; foliar or drench.
  • Ferric sulfate (Fe₂(SO₄)₃, “Iron(III) sulfate”) – soluble, acidifying; media drenches in some programs.
  • Iron chelate (Fe-EDDHA, “EDDHA-Fe”) – highly stable, effective in high-pH media.
  • Iron chelate (Fe-DTPA, “DTPA-Fe”) – effective to about pH 7; common in fertigation.
  • Iron chelate (Fe-EDTA, “EDTA-Fe”) – economical; use only in acidic substrates (pH ≤6).
  • Iron citrate (C₆H₅FeO₇, “Ferric citrate”) – soluble organic form for foliar/specialty use.
  • Iron lignosulfonate (varied composition, “Iron lignosulfonate”) – organic complex; soil/media application.
  • Iron frits (varied composition, “Slow-release Fe frits”) – glass-fused carriers for controlled release.
Fe deficiency in Rosa
Image Source: Everris Research (NL), care of ICL

Iron (Fe) Deficiency in Rosa (Pot and Bedding Plants)

Symptoms

  • Interveinal chlorosis on young leaves – lamina turns yellow while veins remain green, giving a netted appearance.
  • Severe deficiency: new leaves become almost white, shoots weaken, and leaf edges may develop necrosis.
  • Reduced flower bud development and poor flower color intensity.
  • Overall stunted growth, reduced branching, and loss of ornamental quality.

Causes

  • High substrate pH (>6.0) is the primary factor, reducing Fe solubility.
  • Irrigation water with high bicarbonate content leading to gradual pH rise in pots.
  • Over-liming of growing media with dolomite or excessive calcium carbonate.
  • Excess phosphorus fertilization, which immobilizes Fe in the root zone.
  • High manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), or copper (Cu) levels competing with Fe uptake.
  • Poor drainage or root diseases (e.g., Pythium, Phytophthora) that impair root function and Fe absorption.
  • Roses in containers are particularly sensitive to Fe unavailability under alkaline conditions.

Correction

  • Foliar sprays:
  • Apply soluble iron chelates (Fe-EDDHA, Fe-DTPA, Fe-EDTA) depending on pH conditions.
  • Iron sulfate (FeSO₄·7H₂O) can also be used in dilute sprays, but may cause scorch if too concentrated.
  • Soil/media drenches:
  • Fe-EDDHA is the most reliable under alkaline conditions (stable to pH 9).
  • Fe-DTPA works well in neutral to slightly acidic conditions (up to pH 7).
  • pH adjustment:
  • Lower substrate pH to the optimal 5.5–6.0 range for roses in containers.
  • Use acid-forming fertilizers (e.g., ammonium sulfate, urea) instead of nitrate forms.
  • Irrigation water treatment:
  • Acidify irrigation water with sulfuric or phosphoric acid to neutralize high bicarbonates.

Prevention

  • Maintain growing media pH between 5.5–6.0 for optimal Fe availability.
  • Regularly test and correct irrigation water alkalinity to avoid long-term media pH drift.
  • Use Fe-chelates preventively in fertigation (EDDHA-Fe for alkaline conditions).
  • Avoid excessive P fertilization, as this antagonizes Fe uptake.
  • Provide well-drained substrates and maintain root health to ensure efficient nutrient uptake.
  • Conduct routine foliar tissue analysis and media testing to detect early imbalances.